Beverly Kills

By: Scott Cranin
In-House Review - Aug 10 2010

Enter the twisted world of filmmaker Damion Dietz who manages to veer towards the mainstream with this latest cinematic creation. Film-lover note, we said "veer" -- always expect the unexpected and be prepared to laugh when screening Beverly Kills. A wacked-out, muscle-bound, cross-dressing actor Beverly Jackson auditions for a role in the latest Pride Playhouse dramatic production of "Balls Out." He is rejected without fanfare for a role in the revue that promises a same'sex marriage ballet and gratuitous male nudity. After seeking advice from Rocco, his "massuer" Beverly decides to form a sort of cult and get even!

Meanwhile back at the Pride Playhouse the adorable Shane, an employee has temporarily taken up residence on the floor of the theater after yet another shallow guy dumps this sweetheart. Shane falls right into the arms of Ray, a lighting designer at the theater and the two are swept into Beverly's bizarre revenge scheme. Featuring lots of cuties, a hot romance and a twisted drag queen you are guaranteed loads of laughs with our friend Damion Dietz's latest.

By: Amos Lassen

"BEVERLY KILLS"
Lots of Fun
Amos Lassen
"Beverly Kills" (TLA Releasing) is as silly as it can possibly be but it is also a fun movie (with some really nice eye candy). I was prepared for another of those drag queen parodies and I was pleasantly surprised and found my way laughing all the way through. It a "whacked out" comedy with lots going for it.
Beverly Jackson, our hero (?) is a muscle bound cross dresser who has been rehearsing for an audition in a new semi-nude musical "Balls Out" to be presented by the Pride Playhouse. When he is rejected for a part he decides that he must seek revenge and heads a cult to avenge himself. A subplot concerning Shane, the lighting designer for the playhouse makes things even more interesting, especially when he and his new boyfriend become targets for the diabolical plot. Damion Dietz wrote and directed this excursion into mayhem and I bet he was laughing the entire time. It is silly and absurd, ridiculous and contrived but still a laugh a minute. And hey, there is nothing wrong with silliness, ridicularity and absurdity if you laugh with it as well as at it.
The plot is like a smorgasbord with all different kinds of elements coming into play. Beverly (Gary Kelly) is one ugly drag queen who is well past his prime. As he seeks revenge he gets sidetracked by every possible thing that could happen. There are broken relationships and new relationships, broken dreams and , loneliness and cheating, a male stripper who cannot relax, arrivals to Tinsel town who want to make it big and celebrity look-alikes. Beverly gathers her cabal together and plans a terrorist attack on Hollywood as a way to make a statement about the tarnishing sheen of the silver screen capital. Quite naturally the plan, like Beverly, bombs. At least it goes awry with the help of some of the best looking people that we have seen on DVD in a movie of this nature. These are not great actors but they did not have much to work with. The musical numbers are very smart and clever and the lyrics to the songs are mundane on one hand and hysterical on the other.
If you keep in mind that this is a parody, you will have a great time. If you are looking for great filmmaking this movie is not for you. The movie does not pretend to be any more than what it is-an excessive, jocular silly charade. If you remember that and watch it with that in mind you will positively enjoy it. There is some fine talent, some pretty faces and a lot of fun.
One review I read just junked the movie-obviously the reviewer had no sense of humor and did not realize what he was watching. The movie is so gay that it screams. Even thought the premise of the movie falls flat, there are some really funny things going on and I can't pan it. I had a good time. I always liked trashy movies but none can come close to "Sordid Lives". "Beverly Kills" is trashy and it has something "Sordid Lives" doesn't-male nudity. I think that what endears "Beverly" is that it never takes itself seriously and when it's over you just feel good. That does not happen often. I recommend seeing it when you are a bit down-it is just what you need for a quick pick up.

By: PBJ

Beverly Kills is a highly entertaining satire of Hollywood lunatics, fanatical doomsday religious cults, and oversexed gay community theater. This film belongs on anyone's list of top gay independent films. Writer/Director Damion Dietz wrote a brilliant script, which is both humorous and touching. Dietz is a skilled director who knows how to breathe life into his own material. He has a great talent for casting skilled actors who fit the roles. What makes this black comedy unique is that the actors play their parts seriously, allowing the audience to laugh at them. This is critical for a successful black comedy. Gary Kelley as the cross-dressing terrorist Beverly Jackson is a standout. His threats following rejection at a gay theater audition are both chilling and humorous. Another great performance is delivered by Rick Sparks as Shane, a gay man who is down on his luck. The audience will truly sympathize with his plight. All of the other acting in this movie is top notch. This is very refreshing, as most actors in other gay indie films appear to be recent graduates of the Porn Star Acting Academy. In addition to great acting, this film delivers amusing satire. A true highlight targets on-the-cheap gay community theater. Anyone who has sat through a number of these productions is well aware that the key to getting butts in the seats is to show butts on the stage. Full-frontal nudity guarantees full houses. A perfect example of this satirical point is demonstrated in the "Balls Out" song in the play-within-the-film. This number is witty and skillfully performed. It would be impossible to improve on the music, lyrics, and choreography. One wonders how many takes were involved to get the actors to rip off their Dolphin shorts to show the full Monty at the right moment. This is a musical number that should be watched over and over again. Apart from the film, the DVD contains some nice features. For example, the director's commentary track is very entertaining. Dietz follows all of the rules of a good commentary track: (a) keep talking, (b) discuss what's on the screen, (c) share on-the-set mishaps, (d) dish lots of dirt, and (e) don't bore viewers with too many technical details. Dietz will hold your attention for the entire commentary. Most directors fail miserably at this. For additional amusement, show this film to your friends with the subtitles turned on. You and your friends can take turns shouting out all of the obvious subtitle goofs. There are many! For more great surprises, freeze-frame the Cult's CD Multi-media presentation. A few single frames contain some startling images.

By: Rich

I truly regret not walking of the theater when I saw this train wreck. I kept hoping for some kind of redeeming quality or moment, but it just wasn't there. There's good camp and bad camp, and this is just beyond bad.

The lead guy is way too cute, and might even be a decent actor, (with a better director, that is,) but the rest of cast is just awful.

By: E.

Overall I enjoyed this movie, but it was really like two movies. One part is about a very weird drag queen? who goes on a rampage. The other part is a nice gay romance. I loved the nice, romantic part, and a lot of the parts with those boys and the theater was adorable and hilarious, but I had time getting behind the other part with Beverly. Some of the actors I thought were really good and others were bad like John Waters bad. The songs were great.

By: Chuh!

Okay, I saw this movie at my local Blockbuster and I saw the cover. It seemed interesting, but something kept nagging at me saying AVOID THIS FILM! So, I did...but after a few months, this film kept calling me. So, I decided to give it a chance....BIG MISTAKE! Oh, my god! What a train wreck! I mean, I like camp just like the next person IF it's funny! I guess it's true, if you have a good camera and a few extra bucks and friends who don't really get cast as leads in indie movies or reginonal theatre wasting their time to make this dreack anyone can make a movie. Cutie guys does not make a film. I totally blame the director and his vision for this mess. It had so much potiental! I think it could've been right up there with Kill!Mommie!Kill!....Someone should kill this movie! Ishtar is better than this! Gigli is a Classic compared to this awful film. Be warned! AGGGGGGGGHHHHH!

By: Scott

Saw this at a film festival in AZ a couple of weeks ago and loved it. The two boys are adorable - in fact, all of the guys in the movie are gorgeous and either wear absolutely nothing or next to nothing throughout the whole movie which is a plus. Unlike most low-budget gay indie romances, however, this doesn't take itself so seriously, is actually quite witty, and leaves you feeling great. If you are looking for a very sexy, fluffy gay romance and campy comedy with a quick, satirical wit, then this is it. The Hollywood scenes at the end were really fun - I haven't seen the new, revitalized Hollywood yet, and this film really takes you there. Really cute movie!